The critical concentration of cadmium (Cd) in the kidney after acute administration of Cd-cysteine (Cys) is 10 micrograms/g wet wt in whole kidney and is equal to that following Cd-thionein (Th) injection. This fact suggests that the nephrotoxicity of Cd-Th may be due to the Cd ions liberated from Cd-Th. To clarify the mechanism of the nephrotoxicity, the subcellular distribution of Cd injected as Cd-Cys was determined between supernatant and sediment fractions. Renal Cd level observed at 4 h increased with dose, but the Cd concentration in the supernatant fraction was kept almost constant at higher doses. Renal dysfunction measured by urinary protein and glucose levels was seen at the higher doses. This suggested that Cd in the sediment fraction of the kidney homogenates may be the ultimate cause for the nephrotoxicity of Cd-Cys. The sedimental Cd was eliminated from the kidney by 24 h. Much of the Cd found in the supernatant fraction was bound to high-molecular-weight proteins (HMWP) at 4 h, and almost all Cd ions were found to be bound to metallothionein at 24 h. Therefore, the HMWP-bound Cd in the supernatant fraction also may be a cause for the renal dysfunction. It is concluded that in addition to the HMWP-bound Cd in the supernatant fraction, CD distribution into the sediment fraction should be considered as a factor in causing nephrotoxicity after Cd-Cys and possibly Cd-Th administration.